The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced new travel restrictions set to take effect next week, prohibiting the entry of citizens from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Moreover, restrictions for citizens from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will be increased.
This measure stems from Executive Order 14161, which was issued on January 20, 2025, entitled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other Threats to National and Public Security.” In an official statement, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining robust immigration controls, emphasizing that the federal government aims to keep out what he termed “radical Islamic terrorists.” He pointed to a recent terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, to underline the risks posed by unchecked entry of foreign nationals.
The White House indicated that this new proclamation has exceptions for legal permanent residents, holders of valid visas, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests. The administration argues that it is vital to take measures to protect American citizens from potential threats.
This executive order builds upon precedent established by the Supreme Court in the Trump v. Hawaii case, which affirmed the President’s authority to restrict entry under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, concluding such restrictions serve legitimate purposes.
In its justification, the White House provided specific details regarding countries. For example, it cited that Afghanistan lacks a competent central authority for civil documentation, with significant instances of overstays for various visa types. Similar statistics were presented for other nations, highlighting concerns about illegal immigration and cooperation challenges regarding deportation.
Chad, for instance, displayed high overstay rates, which the administration interprets as a disregard for U.S. immigration laws. The situation in Libya is exacerbated by the presence of terrorist groups and ineffective governance. The proclamation emphasizes that conditions in countries like Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen also fail to meet adequate verification standards for entry into the U.S.
Countries partially affected by the restrictions, such as Burundi and Cuba, have poor cooperation records in terms of repatriating nationals and sharing information for security purposes. The Biden administration was criticized for what Trump described as failures that escalated risks from illegal immigration.
The House White House stresses that the selection of countries for enhanced scrutiny is tailored to the unique circumstances of each nation, aiming to promote cooperation and improve verification systems. The travel restrictions will remain in force until these countries demonstrate significant advancements in their controls.
This proclamation underscores a renewed focus on national security linked directly to immigration policy, positioning it as a tool to bolster border security and international cooperation. The administration maintains that ensuring effective immigration management is vital to protecting the safety and well-being of the American public.